Days after a story leaked, claiming Gretchen told tabloids that Tamra and now fiancé Eddie Judge got engaged after Bravo paid for both a ring and a luxury vacation to film the proposal, both ladies are defending themselves against the allegations. First up, is Gretchen who adamantly denies any involvement in so-called tabloid tattling!

Speaking to CNN news, of all places, Gretchen claims everyone wants the fight between Tamra and herself to continue! “I think because Tamra and I have been at each other’s necks the last few years,” Gretchen claims. “I mean, bottom line, the audience likes the fight, to think that Tamra and I are at each other’s necks angry at each other.”

“[And] I think a lot of people were expecting an engagement between Slade [Smiley] and I and when that didn’t happen and all of a sudden Tamra’s engaged, I think that the press just made this up.” That’s an interesting assessment – are that many people really dying for Gretchen and Slave to tie the knot, because frankly, I think most of us couldn’t care less!

Gretchen claims that not only is she thrilled beyond belief for her new friend, she is planning the bachelorette party! “For goodness sakes, I went out to dinner with her and Eddie and Terry and Heather and we celebrated the engagement and I’m gonna throw the bachelorette and Heather’s gonna throw the bridal shower!;” Gretchen insists. “If I actually believed it’s a sham, why would I offer to throw the bachelorette party?”

“It’s disappointing; we know the truth, we know what’s going on,” Gretchen says, adding that the media is spinning it out of control. You can see the video of Gretchen defending herself below!

Unfortunately for Gretchen, Tamra doesn’t seem to exonerate her from involvement in the story – nor is she confirming any news of bachelorette parties! Instead, she is talking wedding plans and while there are none until next season she is thrilled to be engaged! “Proposing to me in Bora Bora was a huge surprise and the most romantic trip of my life,” Tamra tells RumorFix. “We have no wedding date or plans set, but we are thinking about having a destination wedding somewhere fabulous.”

“Regarding the recent report on TMZ article. I find it hurtful and vicious for someone to make up such horrible lies about my engagement,” she fumes. “To try and take away from my happiness is just down right mean.”

And she is completely insistent that Bravo had nothing to do with the most romantic day of her life! “Bravo does not control my life and my love can not be bought or manipulated by them or anyone else.” You know what, I kind of believe her!

Moving right along, Vicki Gunvalson is talking about herself again. No, just kidding… Vicki is talking how being a Housewife has changed over the years – and she blames the inclusion of younger ladies into the mix. And Vicki prefers the old way of doing things!

“I was one of the youngest cast members and now I’m the oldest,” Vicki shares. In the beginning, “We weren’t fighting, we were just talking about our lives, raising kids,” Vicki tells The Huffington Post.

Vicki believes in order to amp up drama, the producers started matriculating younger, less settled, and more fame hungry girls into the cast. “They are bringing in the girls 16 years younger. Hello,” she claims. “I think the producers wanted to sexercise it so we got the younger girls, but its okay, just more fights.” I assume Vicki is referring to Gretchen and her grifter-buddy Sarah Winchester, who has barely been on screen so far – much to my delight!

Interestingly, Vicki says the shift in the show’s dynamic has been hurtful to her insurance business; which she still maintains is her primary job. “Yes, absolutely it does hurt business,” Vicki confirms. “I have to be very careful of what I say and how my temper shows and I really try to control all drinking on camera because I’m not a big drinker anyway, but they sensationalize it. [They] Make them think you are drinking more than you are when you’re not drinking that much.”

While Vicki insists the producers don’t force the drama–they just cast accordingly–apparently it’s working! Or maybe not. NBC is reporting that the seventh season of RHOC is gearing up to be the series’ highest rated season yet. Which is ironic, considering new addition Heather is in her forties and hardly the youngest of the bunch. Also interesting, it is the OG’s Vicki, Tamra, and Gretchen who are causing the most trouble this season!

New episodes of the show are averaging about 2 million viewers and ratings are up 10% from last season, according to the Nielsen Ratings. Tuesday night’s mainly dramaless episode garnered a whopping 1.36 million adult viewers aged 18-49 and was the most watched episode of the season since the premiere. Apparently, people really want to see Vicki and Gretchen throw down over Slave Slimey!

I have to say, although the drama is exciting, I preferred earlier seasons of the shows where the fights seemed less forced and were less often. I agree, recent seasons of Housewives of all varieties have become increasingly low-brow and trashy. If I wanted all that nonsense I’d tune into Bad Girls Club! But maybe, the majority of viewers prefer the over-the-top behavior and non-stop bickering. What do you think?

SO – DID GRETCHEN LEAK THE STORY TO THE TABLOIDS OR NOT? ARE YOU SURPRISED SHE’S THROWING THE BACHELORETTE? IS VICKI RIGHT THAT YOUNGER HOUSEWIVES HAVE AMPED UP THE DRAMA AND TRASHED UP THE SHOW? THOUGHTS ON THE RATINGS?

The Tamra Barney / Gretchen Rossi fauxlationship was ever so brief. The two, who were professing their love for each other mere weeks ago, are now, well – kaput! Dang, I only got to use Tamretchen for, like, five minutes.

Yesterday it emerged that Gretchen likely pedaled a story to TMZ accusing Tamra of planning her engagement to Eddie Judge, because Bravo shelled out for a ring and a romantic vacay to capture the proposal as an addition to this season’s storyline. Tamra apparently believed Gretchen was the culprit of the leak as she as spent the last twenty-four hours blowing up Twitter saying as much.

In response to all the drama, Tamra took to Facebook to thank her fans for support during these accusations. “Thanks for all my fans that posted positive comments. After a day of negative energy its time to turn it around. So I am drinking a Corona Light and cooking tacos with my kids waiting for my Hot Latin fiance to get home.”

Tamra also thanked Bravo for denying the story alleging that they bribed Eddie to pop the question! “Again Thank you Bravo for your support! To have people that want to tear you down when you are so happy is hurtful,” she added.

On Twitter, Tamra has done nothing short of accusing Gretchen of being responsible. In one of her cryptic tweets, Tamra revealed that she knew who was responsible but wasn’t ready to reveal. “it is very hurtful and I know who did it,” she wrote “Trust me it will come out..time.” Here’s betting the Real Housewives of Orange County reunion will be giving this matter a lot of attention!

And, for those of you speculating Vicki Gunvalsonhad anything to do with the story, Tamra flat-out denied it. Personally, I definitely do not see Vicki doing something like that – particularly since she and Tamra are now business partners in their new venture, Wines by Wives. We all know work and money are Vicki’s life and she wouldn’t jeopardize that opportunity!

In response to the insinuations, Gretchen has spent a lot of time defending herself. Gretchen adamantly denies she had anything to do with the story about Tamra and maintains that the two are in a good place. “Today was a tough day, can’t say thank you enough for always showing such support and love towards me. Love u all so much! Xoxo,” she tweeted.

Gretchen will be appearing on CNN this evening where she promises to set the record straight about her relationship with Tamra and the TMZ story. What on earth CNN is doing interviewing Gretchen is a mystery to me – must be a really, realllllllly slow news day. Like, did news completely stop happening?

Tamra was due to appear with Gretchen, but in light of the situation canceled! “we were both to be on CNN today together about something else. I am way to upset to go! lets see if she does the right thing?,” Tamra commented. Wowzers!

Moving on, Heather Dubrow is speaking out about last week’s Bunko meltdown with Alexis Bellino. “It seemed like Alexis was itching for a fight the whole night. . . I feel like I have been attacked by Alexis since we met, and I’m not sure why,” Heather shares in her Bravo blog.

“But when she got Terry [Dubrow] involved, I couldn’t stand by and watch. He had no idea who was being discussed (how would he know that Gretchen calls her “Lex”). Pick on me all you want, but you DON’T mess with my man!”

And despite getting off on the wrong Louboutin clad foot, Heather says Alexis has apologized and things are good between them. “I would like to say that Alexis sent me a very sweet text message the next day. She said she overreacted and felt bad about what happened. I thought that was great, I appreciated it.”

Finally, tonight marks an all-new episode of Real Housewives of Orange County. And everyone is in surgery! Alexis recovers from her nose job, Briana gets the results of her biopsy, and Tamra consults her doctor about a breast reduction! See a preview for the new episode below!

Real Housewives of Orange County airs on Bravo tonight at 9/10c

WILL GRETCHEN AND TAMRA’S FRIENDSHIP RECOVER? DO YOU BELIEVE GRETCHEN HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE SLANDEROUS STORY ABOUT TAMRA’S ENGAGEMENT? CAN HEATHER AND ALEXIS MAKE AMENDS?

The reason? Sources close to Gretchen reveal she is telling others that Bravo producers first approached her boyfriendSlade Smileyabout a proposal, wanting him to plan it in time for the show’s finale. The show producers reportedly tried to bribe Slade with an exotic proposal destination and a free ring.

But, the always honorable Slade reportedly turned down the proposal offer, and then the producers turned to Tamra and Eddie out of spite. The two accepted the offer and had Bravo come on their Italian vacation to film their engagement for this season’s finale.

Hmm, if this story sounds eerily familiar, it’s because the NY Post reported two weeks ago that Gretchen and Slade were trying to get Bravo to pay for their engagement ring and an exotic trip for Slade to propose. The article also claimed Gretchen was jealous of Tamra’s engagement and wanted to one up her.

So it seems Gretchen thinks Tamra was the one who leaked the NY Post article, which might be the case, and this TMZ article is in retaliation.

Whatever the case is, Tamra is responding to the TMZ story, stating that she is “sick” and “hurt” over Gretchen’s comments. By the way, even though Gretchen isn’t going on the record with this story, there’s a 99.9889% chance she was the one who leaked it to TMZ. Most of the gossip stories that end up on TMZ are leaked to them by the celebs.

“After reading the TMZ article that was released. I hope that Gretchen does the RIGHT thing. This is a very hurtful story about my engagement. This is a special time in my life and to have a cast member try an knock me down out of jealousy is very hurtful. Im sorry Bravo wouldn’t buy your ring and send you to Italy. Eddie did it his way on his dime! Bottom line is if you love someone the size of the ring and where you propose really doesn’t matter.”

Just like that, the Tamra/Gretchen feud rages on! Must say I wasn’t buying their faux friendship to begin with!

While, there might be some truth to this story, such as Bravo paid for the exotic trip for Tamra and Eddie, I refuse to believe Gretchen and Slade would turn down Bravo’s offer for a free ring! In fact, Slade was spotted shopping for engagement rings for Gretchen earlier this month. So, if Slade is planning to propose to Gretchen anyways, why would he turn down Bravo’s offer for a free ring and vaca? Makes no sense!

[Photos Credit: WENN]

TELL US – THOUGHTS ON THE TMZ ARTICLE? DO YOU BELIEVE IT? DO YOU BELIEVE GRETCHEN/SLADE WOULD TURN DOWN BRAVO’S OFFER? DO YOU THINK TAMRA LEAKED THE NY POST ARTICLE?

UPDATE – Gretchen is now denying she leaked the report to TMZ. But as we reported above, it’s highly unlikely TMZ would publish the story if it didn’t come from her. Gretchen’s statement, posted on her Facebook page, is below –

“Whoever keeps trying to stir up things between @TamraBarney and me, needs to stop making up lies! I never said any of those things TMZ is reporting and have been nothing but happy for Tamra and her engagement. Last week I was begging for a ring from Bravo now this week her engagement is a sham! Give me a break! Why can’t anyone just be happy for her and I! We are both happy and in a good place in our lives!”